Support for drop leaves for folding tables and like articles



mh 31, 11936.A A. H, F. PERL' 2,035,718

SUPPORT!I FOR DROP LEAVES FOR FOLDING TABLES AND LIKE ARTICLES Filed Jan. 26, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet l,Y

SUPPORT FOR DROP LEA'VES FORvFOLDING TABLES AND LIKE ARTICLES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 26, 1954 \\\"l 35 613.6 3.73m v g3 15gg @50 Wow w l! I l S i2/ m R All I 0 0 I l I k JEC 36 35 37 L AZW. l l l .35 Egg, d Z6" es l A. H. F. PERL SUPPORT FR DROP LEAVES FOEFOLDING TABLES AND LIKE ARTICLES 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 March 31, 1936.

Filed Jan. 26, 1934 III..."-

Patented Mar. 31, 1936 2,035,718 SUPPORT FOR DROP LEAVES FOR FOLDING TABLES AND LI Albert Henry Franks KE ARTICLES Perl, Birmingham,

England Application January 26, 1934, Serial No. 708,483 In Great Britain January 30, 1933 15 Claims.

This invention relates to supports for dropleaves in general, although more particularly drop-leaves of folding tables.

The chief object of this invention is to provide a support, in the form of a leg, for a drop-leaf in raised position, the leg having automaticallyoperating mechanism associated therewith for moving the leg support into and out of supporting position beneath the leaf, upon the latter being raised or lowered respectively. A more specic object of this invention is to provide automatic mechanism for actuating a supporting leg for a drop-leaf, comprising novel link mechanism by wlLIch the leg is constrained to move outwards into supporting position automatically when the drop-leaf is raised and to reverse such movement when the leaf is lowered.

Another object of this invention is to provide a folding table having drop-leaves hinged to a centre member and comprising mechanism adapted to draw the table legs outwards into a straddled supporting position when said leaves are in raised position and to move said legs into a crossed-over supporting position when said leaves are lowered.

These and other objects and features of the invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figs. l and 2 illustrate in elevation, partly in section, a folding table embodying one form of the invention, in which hinged legs support the table in both its open and closed positions, respectively.

Figs. 3 and 4 are elevations, which illustrate optional details which may be embodied in the table illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2;

Figs. 5 and 6 are partly in section and illustrate in elevation, in the open and closed positions, respectively, a leg movement similar to that in the arrangement of Fig. 1 as applied to a table having independent stationary legs;

Figs. 7-16 illustrate further embodiments of the invention employing a modified form cf movement for the leg support for the drop-leaf, in which Figs. 7, 8, and 9 illustrate one embodiment, Fig. 7 being an elevation, partly in section, showing the parts in open position, Fig, 8 being an underneath plan View of a portion of Fig. 7 and Fig. 9 being an elevation partly in section, showing the parts in closed position;

Figs.rl0and ll are elevations partly in section illustrating in the open position and in an intermediate position, respectively, ment similar to that modified in a detail;

Figs. 12 and 13 are a form of moveillustrated in Fig. 7, but

elevations, partly in section,y

which illustrate principally an alternative conillustrated comprises a centre portion I to which is hinged two pairs olf-legs 2 in such a manner that these legs can move into the extreme straddled and crossed-over positions shown in Figs.

1 and 2 respectively. 'I'he legs of each pair are connected together by a cross-member 5 and 26 move together as one unit. Also hinged to the centre I are `drop-leaves Q3, on the underside of each of Vwhich is provided a hook-shaped member 4 which is adapted to engage the adjacent cross-member V5 at some point during the raising 25' of leaf 3 and thereby draw the adjacent pair of legs outwards. The legs V2 are linked together by means of a link-lever assembly, indicated generally by the reference numeral 6, mounted on the underside of the centre l by means of a 3U bracket l, whereby thelegsl are moved simultaneously, making the action of both leaves simultaneous. Y

In the closed position of the table, that is, when the leaves 3 are down, the legs 2 cross over one 35 another as illustrated in Fig. 2, the hook members 4 being positioned underneath the centre I in the space between the legs. In order to obtain this position, the pairs of legs 2 and also the hook members 4 must be mounted in staggered 4'0 relation.

To open the table, both4 leaves may be taken in the hands and raised simultaneously. The hook members 4 attached thereto will move arcuately into engagement with the cross-members 5, 45 afterwards drawing the legs outwards into the straddled position illustrated in Fig. 1, when the leaves 3 are fully raised. A shoulder 8 provided on each hook member 4 bears against the adjacent cross-member 5 in this position to support 50 the leaf. It will be appreciated that in View of the arcuate movement of the legs 2 from one extreme position to the other, the centre I of the table will be raised during such movement. The table is closed by lifting the centre I, thus per- 55' Vit associated hook member 4 into engagement with :sol

mitting the leaves and legs to close under gravity. In order to complete the inward movement of the legs 2 into the crossed-over position, suitable abutments are provided on the leaves 3 which engage suitable parts of the leg structure and thereby press the legs together. In the embodiment illustrated, the abutments I3 are formed on the hook members 4 and engage the cross-members 5.V

By means of the link-lever assembly 6, it is possible for the table to be opened by raising one leaf 3 at a time. This is advantageous in cases where the table may be too heavy to Vbe lifted bodily by both leaves. For light structures, such as card tables, in which there would be no difficulty in opening the table byl lifting both leaves 3 simultaneously, the link-lever assembly 6 need not be provided, and furthermore, the shoulder 8 may be formed integrally with the hook member 4. However, for heavier tables, it is desirable to be able' to raise one leaf at a time and for this reason the link mechanism 6 isV conveniently provided. It can be seen from Fig. 2 that upon raising one leaf 3, say the right-hand leaf, the following actions occur. The right-hand leaf will move freely until the hook member 4 engages the cross-member 5, after which, continued upward movement of the leaf will draw the right-hand legs Zioutwards, which action will tilt the center I upwards. Due to the link-lever assembly 6, the left-hand pair of legs 2 will also be moved outwards and will consequently raise the lefthand leaf 3 by reason of their engagement with the abutment I3 of the left-hand hook member 4. When the right-hand leaf 3 is fully raised into the position illustrated in Fig. 1, both right and lefthand legs 2 are fully open in straddled position as illustrated in this figure, and right-hand leaf 3 is supported on the right-hand legs 2 by engagement of the shoulder 8 with the cross-member 5. However, the left-hand leaf, at this juncture, will be at some intermediate inclined position, resting upon the left-hand cross-member 5. Opening of this leaf is therefore completed by raising it so as to bring the shoulder B on the the left-hand cross-member 5. In order to prevent the possibility of the leaf jamming when executing this final stage ofl its upward movement, the shoulder 8 is preferably provided not on the hook member 4 itself but on a separate, yieldable, member 9 pivoted to the member 4 at I0 and spring-urged against a stop I I thereon by means of a spring I2.

Suitable stops are provided for limiting the straddle and cross-over of the legs 2. In the construction illustrated, a projection I4 on the bracket 1 serves as a stop for limiting the movement of the link-lever assembly 6 and thereby the outward movement of the legs 2. Similarly, in the closed position, illustrated in Fig. 2, the parts ofthe link-lever assembly S at` I5 bear against thebottom part I6 of the bracket 1 and thereby limit the inward movement of the legs.

With such a table, if in the open position illustrated in Fig. 1, downward pressure is Vexerted on one of the leaves 3 so as to tilt the table and raise the opposite leaf and legs from the ground, such leaf will begin to fall into its closed position. Consequently, for light tables, it is preferable toprovide means for positively locking the leaves in their raised position. A simple arrangement for this purpose is illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, showing the open and closed positions respectively. V--The leaves 3 are each'provided with xed brackets II which, in raised position, abut against the ends of a hanging plate I8 hinged at I9 to the centre I of the table, and thereby prevent the leaves 3 being lowered. To lower the leaves, the plate I8 is moved by hand out of engagement with the brackets II. This can conveniently be done when lifting the centre l. When the leaves 3 are down, the brackets I1 support the plate I8 in closed position.

A single hinged plate I8 may be provided, cooperating with one bracket I1 on each leaf 3, but if desired this arrangement may be duplicated, one on each side of the table. The plate or plates I8 may be actuated by gravity or by springs.

The form of automatic leg movement illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 may be applied, with modification, to tables in which the centre I is supported on independent stationary legs 20 and having a single drop-leaf 3a at one end of the table o-r independently-operable leaves at each Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate `such a modification. A pair of legs 2a. for the leaf 3a may be provided, but this is not essential, as a single, centrallydisposed, leg will sufce. The action of the mechanism is similar to that described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 and will not therefore be repeated in detail. The only differences are that in view of the independent operation of each leaf 3a, no interconnecting link-lever assembly like 6 of Fig. 1

is provided and consequently the spring-urged member 9 of Fig. 1 is not required, the corresponding shoulder 8a being formed on the corresponding hook member 4a itself. Furthermore, in view of the absence of the link-lever assembly, separate stops are provided for limiting the outward movement of the leg 2a. No stops for limiting the inward movement of this leg are needed, because in the closed position the leg 2a performs no function, the table being supported on its independent legs 20. In the embodiment illustrated, the stops for limiting the outward movement of the leg 2a Yare constituted by a pair of Cso-operating fingers 2 I, 22, secured to the stationary centre Io and movable leg 2a respectively. With a single leg 2a, the member 5a. for engaging the hook member 4a may be any suitably shaped pin.

It will be appreciated with reference to the structure illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 that in order to raise and lower the leaf 3a, that end of the centre Ia of the table will be raised during the opening and closing movements, in View of the arcuate movement o-f the leg 2a. Consequently, the assembly is so constructed that the leg 2u is not moved very far out Vof the perpendicular when the leaf is raised, the movement being just sufcient to provide a rm support for the leaf. In accordance with my invention, also, I have devised a modified form of automatic leg movement which enables a drop-leaf, hinged to a table supported on fixed legs, to be raised without the centre of the table being shifted in any way. This movement is applicable to all kinds of tables, whether heavy or light. The general principle underlying this movement involves pivotally supporting the legs for supporting the drop-leaf at two different centres so as to constrain the movement of the leg to two arcuate paths, the resultant of which causes the leg to move outwards automatically when the leaf is raised, the movement being reversed when the leaf is lowered. Some embodiments are illustrated in Figs. 7 to 16.

Referring to Figs. 7 to 9, a leg support 2b for a drop-leaf 3b hinged to a stationary table top Ib is pivotally mounted on the leaf 3b by means of a bracket 23. This bracket is provided with lugs 36 secured to the stationary top Ic.

21|v and receives a hinge pin 25 by which ashoe member 26 is hinged to the bracket 23. The leg 2b is fixed in the shoe member 26 by means of screws 21. The shoe 26 is provided with an extension 28 .which is pivotally connected at 29 toa link 3U pivotally mounted on a ybracket 3| secured to the undersideV of the stationary top lb. The parts are so proportioned and positioned thatmovement of the leaf from the raisedposition illustrated in Fig. '7 to the lowered position illustrated in Fig. 9, causes the leg 2b to be raised fromthe ground and moved inwards so as to fit snugly alongside the lowered leaf in the closed position, the movement being reversed on raising the leaf. With this movement,- the leg 2b literally steps out when the leaf 3b is raised. With this form of movement, it is clear that some rm means for locking the leaf in raised position must beprovided, since otherwisethe leaf would fall under gravity when released after being raised by hand and thereby automatically close the leg movement. Within the scope of my invention, I may use any suitable locking means for positively holding the leaves and leg in proper spaced relation, but for convenience I prefer a form of locking member such as is illustrated in the figures under consideration. 'I'his member consists of a plate 32 which, in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 7, is rotatably mounted by means of` a hinge pin 33 to the bracket 23. In the inoperative position of the locking plate 32, it lies alongside and bears, under `the action of spring 34, against the side of the shoe member 26, as illustrated in Fig. 9. When the leaf 3b is raised, the leg 2b is moved outwards and downwards automatically into contact with the ground, and when it is moved away from the plate 32 at the end of the raising movement of the leaf, the plate springs automatically into the locking position illustrated in Fig. 8, between the shoe member 26 and the leaf 3b, -so as to prevent relative movement between these parts and thereby lock the movement. A stop 50 on plate 32 limits, by engagement. with the shoe member 26, the movement of the plate 32 under the spring action. To lower the leaf, the plate 32 is moved by hand out of engagement with the bottom of the shoe member 26, thereby enabling the leaf to be lowered and the movement closed to the position shown in Fig. 9.

The extension 28 on the shoe member 26 has formed thereon a projection which, by abutting against'the bracket 23, serves as a stop for preventing the leg 2b from being turned inwards when in its supporting position. Obviously, such stop may be formed in any other suitable manner. Figs. and 11 illustrate an arrangement similar to that in Fig. 7 but in which the link mechanism, by means of which the leaf-supporting leg is actuated, includes toggle mechanism for snapping the leaf into its down position and positively holding it in this position. Instead of pivoting a link toa stationary bracket 3|, as in Fig. 7, the corresponding link 30a is pivoted to a plate 35 which is in turn pivotally mounted on'a bracket The plate 35 has secured thereto a spring 31, the other end of which is anchored to a stationary member 38. When the leaf 3c is being lowered from the position illustrated in Fig. 10, in which position the spring 37 is in its normal, unextended state, the parts operating to raise and move the leg 2cy inwards function, up to a certain point, as the arrangement in Fig. 7. 'I'hat is to say, the plate 35 remains stationary and functions as if it were the stationary bracket 3l in the Fig. '7 arrangement.

At an intermediate point in the movement, however, the plate'35 is rotated by the link .30a to tension spring 3l, as illustrated in Fig. 11. This continuesVv untill a dead centre point is reached beyond which the extended spring3l then comes into playv to cause the leaf and leg movement to snap into their closed position.

`rI'his snap action may be obtained in a variety of ways which will be( apparent to those skilled in the art and I have shown in Figs. 12 and 13 an alternative toggle arrangement to that illustrated in Fig. 10. The arrangement in Fig. 12 is somewhat simpler by the'fact that the toggle action is obtained by using a link (corresponding to 36, Fig. 7 of variable effective length. In this arrangement, the rod 39 takes the place of the link 30, one end of this rod being pivotally mounted to a iXed bracket 3 la, while the other end passes through a rotatable pin 46 mounted on the eXtension 28h01 the shoe member 26h carrying the leg 2d. The end of the rod 33 is provided with suitable means 4l, for example, a nut, for retaining it in position in the pin 46. A spring 42 embraces the rod 39 and bears at one end against a xed abutment 43 on the rod and at the other against the pin 40. The centres of arcuate movement of the various parts concerned are so arranged that during, e..g., the lowering of the leaf 3d, the spring 39 will be compressed at some intermediate point near the end of the leafs centre position is reached, after which the spring comes into play to snap the leaf and leg action automatically home into the closed position illustrated in Fig. 13.

In Figs. 12 and 13, by way of variation, the

locking plate 32h is shown hinged intermediate its ends to a separate bracket 44 mounted on the underside of the leaf. Also,the leg 2d is shown to be inclined in'its supporting position. Obviously, however, the plate 32h and/or leg 2d may be arranged as in Fig. 7, and vice-versa.

Figs. 15 and 16 illustrate a further embodiment which utilizes the same principle as that underlying the movements illustrated in Figs. '7 to 13. In each of the arrangements illustrated in Figs. 7 to`13, the leaf-supporting leg is pivotally supported to the upper part of the stationary structure, i. e., the underside of the table top, as well as tothe leaf. in Figs. 15 and 16, the pivotal connection to the table top is replaced by a similarly-acting connection at the bottom'of the leg near its end. Referring to these gures, a bracket 23e is secured to the underside ofthe leaf 3e and supports the leg 2e by means of a hinged shoe member 26e, as before. The leg 2ey is also supported, near its bottom end by a linkf45 pivoted thereto at one end and to a member 46 of the stationary structure at'its other end. The position of the centres of movement are so chosenthat the leg 2e can execute the desired movement from the closed position illustrated in Fig. 16 to the open position in Fig. l5 and vice-versa. A locking plate 32e is provided as before which, in the embodiment illustrated, is hinged to the bracket 23e in a manner similar to that described with reference to Fig. 7. The part 46 to which the link 45 is pivoted maybe a cross-piece between stationary legs supporting the fixed top le.

In order to prevent inadvertent lowering of the leaf 3 (3a, 3b, etc.) by accidental movement of the locking 'plate 32 (32a, 32D, etc.) out of its locking position, due, for example, to engagement by the knees of a sitter, suitable stops may be provided. A suitable arrangement, by way of movement, until a dead In the embodiment illustrated 4 example, is illustrated in Fig. 7. As ordinarily manufactured, there is suicient play in the hinge connecting the drop-leaf 3b to the top Ib to enable the leaf to be lifted slightly above its level position. The shoe member 25 is therefore provided with a small upstanding ear 49 which can be cleared by the locking plate 32 when the leaf 3b is raised the amount permitted by play in the hinges, to enable said plate to spring into locking position. Thus, lateral movement of the locking plate 32 out of locking position cannot take place unless and until theleaf is raised above its normal raised position. This detail can, of course, be employed in the constructions illustrated in the Figs. to 16.

'In actual manufacture, particularly with massproduetion methods, there might be sufficient play in the parts to permit the leg 2 (2a, 2b, etc.) to move slightly inwards when in supportingY position and thereby cause the leaf 3 (3a, 3b, etc.) to fall slightly. In order to avoid this, suitable stops may be provided which act, when the leaf is raised, to hold it in this position. Fig. 14 illustrates (with reference to the Fig. '7 modification) an arrangement which may be employed for this purpose. 'Ihe locking plate 32 is provided with an extension l? which is shaped to present an abutment surface which, when plate 32 is in locking position, lies alongside and abuts against a bracket i8 provided on the stationary top Ib of the table. rIhe stop thereby formed is automatically withdrawn when the plate 32 is moved out of locking position.

In the modifications represented in Figs. '7 to 16, there are many parts, for example, the shoe member and the locking plate, which are similar and perform similarfunctions in all the modifications. In order, therefore, to emphasize the relation between such parts, they have been denoted in the drawings by the same reference number, with the addition of different suffixes in different modifications. Also, in View of the similarity of function between the parts in question, they are, in general, not described in detail more than once, so that it is to be understood that where a part of the device in a later figure bears a reference character which is not referred to specifically in the description of that figure, such part is to be regarded as being the same, so far as this invention is concerned, as a specifically described, similarly numbered, part in an earlier figure.

Although the invention has been described particularly with reference to its application to tables, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited in this respect, because the novel automatic leg movements disclosed may obviously be employed with drop-leaves in a general way, whatever be the structure to which such leaves are hinged. For instance, I contemplate within the scope of my invention, its application to dropleaves hinged to walls and serving as temporary or emergency tables or seats. Furthermore, for the proper understanding of my invention, I have described and illustrated in detail certain specific constructions, but, obviously, many modifications and variations are possible within the spirit of this invention and I therefore do not wish to be limited to any of the precise details disclosed, except insofar as rendered necessary by the prior art and the appended claims.

I claim:-

1. YIn combination, a stationary structure, a drop-leaf pivotally connected to said structure, a support in the form of a leg for said leaf in raised position, means pivotally connecting said leg to said leaf, and means pivotally connecting said leg to a stationary member constituting part of said stationary structure, both said pivotal means aforesaid being so proportioned and disposed in operative relation one to the other as to positively constrain the movement of said leg and urge it outwards into supporting position beneath said leaf, simultaneously on said leaf being raised.

2. In combination, a stationary structure, a drop-leaf pivotally connected to said structure, a support in the form of a leg for said leaf in raised position, means pivotally connecting said leg to said leaf, means pivotally connecting said leg to a stationary7 member constituting part of said stationary structure, both said pivotal means aforesaid being so proportioned and disposed in operative relation one to the other as to positively constrain the movement of said leg and urge it outwards into supporting position beneath said leaf, simultaneously on said leaf being raised, and means for automatically locking said leaf in raised position, said means last-mentioned being manually releasable.

3. In combination, a stationary structure, a drop-leaf pivotally connected to said structure, a bracket fixed to the underside of said leaf, a shoe member hinged to said bracket parallel to the axis of rotation of said leaf, a support in the form of a leg for said leaf in raised position, said leg having its top end embraced by said shoe member and fixed therein, and link mechanism pivotally connecting said leg to a stationary member constituting part of said stationary structure, the parts constraining the'movement of said leg being so proportioned and positioned in operative relation one with another as topositively urge said leg outwards into supporting position beneath said leaf, simultaneously on said leaf being raised, said parts being adapted to execute the reverse movement simultaneously on said leaf being lowered.

4. In combination, a stationary structure, a drop-leaf pivotally'connected to said structure, a bracket fixed to the underside of said leaf, a shoe member hinged to said bracket parallel to the axis of rotation of said leaf, a support in the form of a leg for said leaf in raised position, said leg having its top end embraced by said shoe member and fixed therein, link mechanism pivotally connecting said leg to a stationary member constituting part of said stationary structure, the parts constraining the movement of said leg being so proportioned and positioned in'operative relation one with another as to positively urge said leg outwards into supporting position beneath said leaf, simultaneously on said leaf being raised, said parts being adapted to execute the reverse movement simultaneously on said leaf being lowered, and means for automatically locking said leaf in raised position, said locking means being manually releasable.

5. In combination, a stationary structure, a drop-leaf pivotally connected to said structure, a bracket fixed to the underside of said leaf, a shoe member hinged to said bracket parallel to the axis of rotation of said leaf, a support in the form of a leg for said leaf in raised position, said leg having its top end embraced by said shoe member and fixed therein, link mechanism pivotally connecting said leg to a static-nary member constituting part of said stationary structure, the parts constraining the movement of said leg being so proportioned and positioned in operative relation one with another as to positively urge said leg outwards into supporting position beneath said leaf, simultaneously on said leaf being A action of its spring, ically between said shoe member and the underraised, said parts being adapted to execute the reverse movement simultaneously on said leaf being lowered, and a, spring-urged member hinged at one end to said bracket, adapted, under the to interpose itself automatside of said leaf when the latter is in raised position, thereby to lock said leaf in such position, the free end of said hinged member being arranged for operation by hand to withdraw said member from locking position.

6. In combination, a stationary member, a drop-leaf hinged to said member, a bracket fixed to the underside of said leaf, a shoe member hinged to said bracket parallel to the axis of rotation of said leaf, a support in the form of a leg for said leaf in raised position, said leg having its top end embraced by said shoe member and fixed therein, an extension on said shoe member beyond the hinge connection thereof to said bracket, and link mechanism pivotally connecting said extension to said stationary member, the parts constraining the movement of 'said leg being so proportioned and positioned in operative relation one with another as to positively urge said leg outwards and downwards into supporting position beneath said leaf, simultaneously on said leaf being raised, said parts being adapted to execute the reverse movement simultaneously on said leaf being lowered.

7 'Ihe combination of mechanism as defined by claim 6, characterized in that said link mechanism comprises toggle mechanism for positively holding said leaf and leg in closed position.

8. In combination, a stationary structure, a drop-leaf pivotally connected to said structure, a support in the form of a leg for said leaf in raised position, means pivotally connecting said leg to said leaf, means pivotally connecting said leg to a. stationary member constituting part of said stationary structure, both said pivotal means aforesaid being so proportioned and disposed in operative relation one to the other as to positively urge said leg outwards and downwards into supporting position beneath said leaf, simultaneously on said leaf being raised, means for automatically locking said leaf in raised position, said locking means being manually releasable, and means for positively holding said leaf and leg in closed position, said means last-mentioned being automatically releasable on lifting said leaf.

9. In combination, a drop-leaf hinged to a stationary structure, a support in the fo-rm of a leg for said leaf in raised position, said leg also being hinged to said structure, a laterally-pro.- jecting member on said leg, and a hook member fixed to the underside of said leaf and positioned to engage said projecting member, on said leaf being raised, and thereby move said leg into supporting position beneath said leaf.

l0. A folding table, comprising in combination, a fixed table member, two drop-leaves hinged to said fixed member at opposite sides thereof, legs adjacent each of said leaves for supporting said table, hinged to said fixed member and adapted, in the closed position with said leaves down, to assume a crossed-over position, stops for limiting the cross-over of said legs, laterallyextending members connected to the legs adjacent each leaf, hook members fixed to said leaves and positioned and proportioned to engage said respective, adjacent, lateral members, on said leaves being raised simultaneously, and thereby move said legs from said crossed-over position into a straddled position for supporting said raised leaves, and stopsfor limiting the straddle of said legs.

11. A folding table comprising the combination of elements as defined by claim 10, characterized by the provision of means, linking the movable parts associated with the one of said leaves with the corresponding parts associated with the other of said leaves, for simultaneous operation of said leaves and legs.

12. 'I'he combination of mechanism as defined by claim 9, characterized by the provision on said hook member of a shoulder with which said projecting member contacts, when said leaf is in raised position, to support said leaf in said position.

13. In combination, a hinged drop-leaf, an inarticulated leg pivotally mounted at its top end, for supporting said leaf in its raised position, arranged with its pivot parallel with the hinge of the leaf, and means, separate from said leg and from said pivot thereof, and actuated by movement of said leaf, and cooperating with said leg for positively constraining the movement of said leg and moving it out into supporting position beneath said leaf simultaneouslyl when said leaf is raised.

14. In combination, a hinged drop-leaf, an inarticulated leg pivotally mounted at its top end, for supporting said leaf in its raised position, arranged with its pivot parallel with the hinge of the leaf, means, separate from said leg and from said pivot thereof, and actuated by movement of said leaf, and cooperating with said leg for positively constraining the movement of said leg and moving -it out into supporting position beneath said leaf simultaneously when said leaf is raised, and means, operative in the raised position of said leaf, for supporting said leaf on said leg.

15. In combination, a hinged drop-leaf, an inarticulated leg pivotally mounted at its top end, for supporting said leaf in its raised position, arranged with its pivot parallel with the hinge of the leaf, and means, separate from said leg and from said pivot thereof, and actuated by movement of said leaf, and cooperating with said leg for positively constraining the movement of said leg and moving it o-ut into supporting position beneath said leaf simultaneously when said leaf is raised and for reversing such movement simultaneously when said leaf is lowered.

ALBERT HENRY FRANKS PERL. 

